Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 Review

Resolution Chart Comparison

Comparison cameras:

Panasonic DMC-FZ8 (7 MP, 12 x zoom)

Sony DSC-H5 (7.2 MP, 12x zoom)

Canon PowerShot S3 IS (6 MP, 12x zoom)

Panasonic DMC-FZ7 (6 MP, 12 x zoom)

Panasonic DMC-FZ30 (8MP, 12x zoom)

Shots here are of our standard resolution chart (version one or two). This chart allows us to measure the actual performance of the lens and sensor system. It measures the ability of the camera to resolve lines at gradually higher resolutions and enables us to provide a definitive value for comparison purposes. Values on the chart are 1/100th lines per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture height. (Note that on version two of our chart the vertical resolution 1000 - 2000 lines have been horizontally flipped but are otherwise identical). For each camera the relevant prime lens was used. The chart is shot at a full range of apertures and the sharpest image selected.

Lines per Picture Height (to allow for different aspect ratios the measurement is the same for horizontal and vertical)

5° Diagonal

Lines set at 5° diagonal

Absolute res.

Point at which all lines of a resolution bar are still visible and defined, beyond this resolution loss of detail occurs (below Nyquist frequency).

Extinction res.

Detail beyond camera's definition (becomes aliased)

n/a

Not Available (above the capability of the test chart)

n/v

Not Visible (not visible on test results)

Panasonic cameras have always offered excellent resolution and the FZ8 is no exception. They're not the cleanest results here (for that you'll need to switch to raw mode), but they do offer a little more than the FZ8 and are not far off the FZ30.